God is obviously a sports fan

In the 1960s we speculated about God being dead. We have always wondered just what kind of personality God has. What kind of evidence is there to uphold our intuitions about God and God's (his or her) interests? Will we ever know?

After the Chicago White Sox won the World Series this week in such convincing fashion, there is no doubt in my mind that God is a sports fan, has a wonderful sense of humor and, finally, is a White Sox fan. What proof do I have? It couldn't be more obvious.

Throughout the entire playoffs, God was on the side of the White Sox. A.J. Pierczynski went to first base after the catcher dropped the ball, or never caught the ball, or God pushed the ball out of the catcher's hand ... but it was definitely the right call. I canvassed every fan I could find in my recent visit to Chicago, and they all agreed that it was the right call and A.J. was safe, and Chicago went on to win the entire series.

When the Sox needed a break, the opposing pitcher hit the Sox batter with a pitched ball. Some skeptics say the ball hit his bat, but we who are "in the know" agree with the umpire that the ball hit the player. Televised reviews of the play would show to unbelievers that the ball hit the bat, but we Sox fans know differently. Besides, the umpire agreed with us, and I'm confident God wanted it that way.

In spite of such overwhelming evidence about God's interest in sports, there are those who question whether God cares about sports at all. Evidently, those of us on Earth think God cares. We name teams after saints (New Orleans), devils (New Jersey), snakes (Arizona Diamondbacks) -- which are the symbols of evil -- and angels (Los Angeles of Anaheim).

God, with his sense of humor, allows all these teams to win, and some with relative frequency, despite their supposed allegiance to "the other guy." Is there any other answer as to how the Angels could ever lose?

Where would sports jargon be without references to God and things spiritual and religious? We'd have no name for the Hail Mary pass in football. What's the equivalent of that oft-stated opinion, "This team doesn't have a prayer"? The penalty box in hockey is called the sin bin. It makes no sense if we have no sin.

But back to the Chicago White Sox. Why did it take so long between World Series championships? I have it on good authority that God is getting around to balancing things up in the world of sports. The Red Sox won last year. This year, the White Sox won. It only took 88 years, but that's nothing on God's calendar. Don't be surprised if the Chicago Cubs win next year. After all, God is good, has a sense of humor and is a sports fan. Can there be a doubt?

Brother Greg O'Donnell is president of Damien Memorial School and could be seen wearing his White Sox cap on campus recently. He grew up on Chicago's South Side, a mile or so from old Comiskey Park.